DUSHANBE, June 12, Asia-Plus – Ina statement delivered at the High Level International Conference on the Implementation of the International Decade for Action “Water for Life” 2005-2015 in Dushanbe on June 10, Mr. Viorel Gutu, FAO Representative in Tajikistan, underlined the importance of water resources in agrarian sector.
“Water plays an essential part in agricultural production, rural livelihoods and for the environment. Clean water is needed to grow, process and prepare food. As 70% of water withdrawals globally are made for agricultural use, the agricultural sector has a mandate to strive for a more sustainable use of the resource,” Mr. Gutu said.
According to him, the Government of Tajikistan has taken the admirable efforts at national, regional and global levels to ensure the successful implementation of the Decade for Action. This has reportedly ensured that water remained high on the development agenda of governments, United Nations and other international organizations.
Safe drinking water and sanitation are fundamental to the good nutrition and health. Lack of access to safe drinking water, sanitation facilities and hygiene practices undermines the nutritional status of people and makes them vulnerable to water-borne diseases and chronic intestinal infections.
Recognizing the importance of water for food and nutritional security, FAO has worked intensively on water and food issues.
“This is also reflected in FAO’s new Strategic Framework that place greater emphasis on regional priorities, multi-disciplinary approaches and partnerships. Particularly the second Strategic Objective on making agriculture, forestry and fisheries more sustainable and productive and building a common vision for sustainable food and agriculture across different agricultural production systems is relevant,” Mr. Gutu said.
FAO works on improving water use efficiency and agricultural water productivity in both rain-fed and irrigated systems. FAO offers a forum for discussions on complex topics, such as water tenure and the water-energy-food nexus, supports the management of water through reuse and recycling of water, and etc.
